World News: Who Will Be Israel's Next Prime Minister? Benjamin or Benny?

Everyone knows about Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu. Israel's 'invincible leader soon to be the longest-serving prime minister in history—except apparently Benny Gantz didn't get that memo since Benny has just pulled ahead of Netanyahu in the latest polls.

How can this be? Bibi is a powerful international spokesman, a skilled diplomat, and an expert economist. If Americans were allowed to vote, Netanyahu would likely win in a landslide.

But in the upcoming April 9 elections, the only votes that count are from Israeli citizens. Israelis see a flip side to the legendary Netanyahu who some view as indecisive in battle, not resolute enough in meeting the challenge of settlement in the strategic, mountainous heartland of Israel – Judea and Samaria (the so-called West Bank) - and they are concerned with entrusting him with the sovereignty of Jerusalem, Israel's eternal capital since the days of King David over 3,000 years ago.

Once labeled by an American magazine as 'King Bibi', due to his seemingly irreplaceable status, things may be changing for Netanyahu and his Likud party. With the attorney-general about to announce a possible bribery indictment against him, Netanyahu seems to be somewhat in defensive mode as his nation enters an early election once again."

With elections scheduled for April 9, 2019, there is a new Benjamin in town, or a new Benny, that is, who seems to be taking Israel by storm. Formerly Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Benny Gantz has entered politics for the first time, forming his own Israel Resilience Party and seriously challenging Netanyahu's predominant right-of-center Likud.

Pundits projecting Netanyahu's virtually-assured victory may be irrationally exuberant the thinking Benny Gantz lead is only 'temporary.' The fact is that Gantz is now the darling of the media, which has become a formidable foe to Netanyahu in recent weeks.

In a country that has always been enamored with generals and always seems to be searching for the latest 'messiah' in the form of a new centrist party, Gantz seems to fit the current perceived need. Voters are flocking in droves to the tall and handsome Gantz, especially from the establishment left-wing Labor Party, which seems to be self-destructing more with each passing day.

Unlike the United States, Israel is a parliamentary democracy in which the citizens vote, not for an individual, but for a party, and the leader of the largest party has the challenge of forming a coalition with smaller parties, the goal being to attain a majority of seats in the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

Remarkably, until last week, Benny Gantz didn't need to say a word on policy to achieve his strong standing in the polls. In fact, from his perspective, it was better not to say anything. But in a tiny country like Israel, where most issues are potentially explosive, issues eventually need to be confronted, and as that happenes and people see what Benny truly stands for, the shift in popularity may swing back to Bibi.

In his maiden policy speech, Gantz seemingly inexplicably praised Israel's now unpopular 2005 unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, in which some 10,000 Israelis were forcibly expelled from their homes in a bitter and painful process that nearly tore the fabric of the country apart. According to Gantz:

"It was a legal move that was adopted by the Israeli government and carried out by the IDF and the settlers in a painful but good way. We have to take those lessons and implement them in other places."

The statement is especially disturbing since it is well known that in every armed conflict, Hamas intentionally hides its armed forces, its weapons factories, and its missile launchers in civilian population centers, daring Israel to attack.

With President Trump's peace plan still not released, but already being publicly debated, it behooves all Israelis, as well as Americans who care about Israel, to understand that the "land for peace" formula that has been recycled and regurgitated by virtually every American administration in recent years, was proven dead after the Gaza withdrawal, when the Hamas terrorist organization set up its rocket launching pads on the ruins of the once peaceful and thriving Jewish communities.

Netanyahu is a sometimes flawed, yet experienced leader, one who recognizes the existential threat from an Iran seeking to attack Israel from both Lebanon and Syria, while achieving nuclear bomb status. Clearly, Netanyahu has the firmness and resolve that Gantz and his potential partners on the Left don't possess.

As Benjamin Netanyahu faces his most difficult challenges, the world should know two things, that Bibi is the better Benjamin and Benny Gantz is not the Messiah.

Bio: David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of the new book, "Trump and the Jews". Rubin is the founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children's Fund, established after he and his then three-year-old son were wounded in a terror attack. He can be found at www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or at www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org.

Haute Tease

Tresor Rare, a high-end luxury skincare line, features intensive Recovery Japanese Binchotan Zumi Mask made from the highest quality charcoal is a beauty game changer with surprising results that are immediate leaving skin noticeably fresher and younger looking.

The James Beard Foundation announced a distinguished panel of jurors to serve as the judging authority for the 2017 Restaurant Design Awards. This panel invites restaurants, architects, interior designers, and graphic designers to submit their projects for consideration for the 2017 Restaurant Design Awards.

Summer has officially begun, but for most, the quest to get that summer body has been in the works for some months. To help with that flat tummy maintenance, we’ve rounded up the most unique, healthy and delicious salads.

Impeach Donald Trump Now, a non-partisan campaign led by Free Speech For People and RootsAction.org, launched on Inauguration Day with a petition calling on the U.S. Congress to initiate an impeachment investigation into President Trump.

Robert S. Mueller, Special Counsel investigating collusion and influencing the 2016 Presidential Election, scored major victories today with the guilty verdicts of Paul Manafort, former Campaign Manager to the President and Trump personal attorney, Michael Cohen.

Barbara Bush, the daughter of former President George W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, married Craig Coyne, this weekend in a quiet, low key, romantic ceremony held at the family compound in Kennebunkport, MA.

President Obama in a statement addressed the nation and called for calm in the wake of the verdict vindicating George Zimmerman of murdering Trayvon Martin and asked Americans to reflect and honor Martin’s memory.

Nelson Mandela, the first African President of South Africa and life long anti-apartheid freedom fighter, has died in Johannesburg, South Africa from age related illnesses that had him repeatedly in the hospital throughout much of 2013. He was 95.

"Calvary" from Fox Searchlight Pictures and Lipsync Productions, presents an intimate portrayal of an Irish priest faced with a personal impasse as a cast of conflicted, tortured and tormented souls pass through his remote parish confessional.

Rules Don’t Apply, from 20th Century Fox, Regency Enterprises and Ratpac Entertainment, presents the story of an eccentric Howard Hughes, the TWA acquisition, the formation of RKO Studios, contract actresses, and one hopeful starlet who is plucked from obscurity.

CNBC surveyed 800 Americans across the country in the latest All-America Economic Survey. The results showed optimism about the economy hit 30 percent for a second-straight quarter, the first such occurrence in the survey's history.

Specialist Swiss Made watchmaking and jewellery Achor Group SA is presenting its new watch brand, YUNIK, at Baselworld. The brand's claim is simple, "Just like You." Unique. Unusual. Different Each Day. Timepieces that will attract attention!

In DELIVER US FROM EVIL, executive produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, New York police officer Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana), struggling with his own personal issues, begins investigating a series of disturbing and inexplicable crimes.